Gladys Fern Pridgin of Ratcliff, Arkansas, passed away Sunday, August 25, 2024, at her home. She was born on August 11, 1936, in Sparta, Illinois, to the late Albert Gordon Payne and Lizzie Ann (Thompson) Payne. She just celebrated her 88th birthday. She was preceded in death by her parents, and four brothers, Robert Payne, Albert Payne, Raymond Foster and Walter Foster.

Gladys was a retired machine operator at Klein Tools in Fort Smith. She was an avid animal lover, loved working puzzles, cooking, woodworking, and watching old western movies. She loved her family very much and will be missed by everyone who knew her.

She is survived by her daughter, Debbie Stewart and husband Russell of Seagoville, Texas; her two sons, Danny Lee Lechner and Dennis Lechner, both of Ratcliff; (7) grandchildren; (12) great-grandchildren; and (5) great-great-grandchildren.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home in Paris.

To place an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.